An entertaining series perfect for fans for Joanne Fluke that highlights delicious new recipes for you to try this holiday season! A merry Christmas mystery is the festive read you need this time of year… “The lavish food descriptions and appended recipes are the best parts.” —Kirkus Reviews Christmas cheer has sent the griddle into overdrive at Robbie Jordan’s popular country store and café. griddle into overdrive at Robbie Jordan’s popular country store and café. And this year, there’s a new seasonal special to feast on: murder…
As December sweeps through South Lick, Indiana, Robbie’s life seems merry and bright like the string lights glistening around town. But strange happenings signal a bumpy ride into the holidays. First a man raises eyebrows at Pans ‘N Pancakes when he claiming to be the long-lost half-brother of Robbie’s assistant. Then a fire destroys the home of a controversial anesthesiologist, exposing skeletal remains in his attic. Helplessly intrigued, all Robbie wants for Christmas is to stop her winter wonderland from becoming a real nightmare. With a decades-old mystery taking shape, can she run as fast as she can in pursuit of a killer who’s harder to crack than a stale gingerbread man?
more
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Christmas in South Lick, Indiana is coming to town with some interesting news. A young man comes into Pans ‘N Pancakes and surprises employee, Danna Beedle by claiming to be her half-brother. She is excited by this news by does have some questions that need to be answered.
The second piece of news is an interesting find in a house after a fire, a human skeleton. The home belongs to a local doctor who claims his wife left him several years ago.
Pans ‘N Pancakes owner Robbie Jordan finds herself intrigued by both events. She tries to find out what she can about the young man but she really gets herself totally wrapped up in finding out who the deceased is and how that skeleton got into the attic. Before she gets the answers she needs another person is murdered and this death is definitely connected to the older death. Robbie is doing her best to juggle her busy restaurant/country store, take part in South Lick’s Christmas festivities, and uncover a killer. This isn’t new for her so I am confident she can handle it all.
It is great to have Robbie back in South Lick with all the residents we have come to love and it is for Christmas no less. Pans ‘N Pancakes is super busy serving up fantastic food but plenty of people are Christmas shopping at her Country Store as well. The author serves up this unique cast of characters as only she can. Pans ‘N Pancakes is the central location for everyone to meet to hear and pass on the local gossip and catch up on any developments on the two mysteries taking place in this story. I really enjoyed catching up with everyone. My heart was warmed by the way Robbie treated Sean but I would have been surprised if she acted any other way. It also shows much promise as this series continues.
As I said, there are two mysteries in this story but one just really affects Danna and her family. Any involvement by others was just to confirm an identity and to be sure Danna doesn’t get hurt in any way. Not everyone treated this young man well though. A man’s racism broke out in public going so far as to try to drag the young man into the other mystery, surprising a lot of people I did appreciate the way his appearance was handled by Danna and her family.
The second mystery is one the whole town is crowing about. First, the skeleton is found, and then another person is killed. What I really liked was that any information Robbie gleaned was shared with Lt. Buck Bird and Detective Octavia Slade. She was able to get information they couldn’t and did move the case along nicely. There were some nice twists and the mystery was well-plotted but I did hone in on the solution early and was very pleased with how the whole thing played out.
Not a mystery but a fabulous event occurs that will have fans of this series smiling ear to ear before we wrap up this visit to South Lick and excited for the next installment. No Grater Crime will be out August 24 and Batter Off Dead hits shelves February 22, 2022.
Candy Slain Murder is a fun whodunit. You really can’t go wrong with a story written by Maddie Day or Edith Maxwell.
In this eighth installment in Maddie Day’s Country Store Mysteries, Robbie Jordan becomes embroiled in two mysteries during the holiday season. The first mystery occurs when a house fire at the home of a local doctor reveals the skeletal remains of his wife. He claims that she left him over a decade ago and that he has no idea how her body ended up in the attic, is he telling the truth? Robbie is determined to find out. Meanwhile, a young man shows up in town and introduces himself as the long lost brother of Robbie’s employee, Danna Beedle. Apparently, Danna’s mother, Mayor Corrine Beedle, gave up a child for adoption before she married and had Danna. It should be a heartwarming family reunion but Robbie has her doubts about the man’s story, and when rumors of his bad temper start circulating around town, she decides to do some digging. Will she be able to solve these mysteries before Christmas?
This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I always look forward to spending time with Robbie at her restaurant in South Lick, Indiana. I love that this installment is set during the holiday season – it really adds an extra layer of coziness to the story and will make you want to curl up on your sofa with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. As always, I enjoy the restaurant atmosphere and Robbie’s relationship with her staff and the locals who come to eat at Pans ‘N Pancakes. Robbie is a likable and relatable protagonist. I like that she always puts her business first and doesn’t just drop everything to go hunting for clues. There are some exciting changes happening in Robbie’s life and I can’t wait to see what this new chapter has in store for her.
The mystery was solid and kept me on my toes. The culprit was one of the main suspects, so the reveal didn’t come as a huge surprise. All in all, this is a wonderful series, with well-developed characters, mouthwatering descriptions of food, a cozy small-town setting, and well-crafted mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Candy Slain Murder is the 8th book in the Country Story Mystery series and after her visit to Santa Barbara in the last book, Robbie is back home in South Lick Indiana. This is a wonderful series and I always anticipate each new book. It has a great cast of diverse characters that are interesting and diverse. The setting, for me (as a Midwesterner), is charming. I also like how Ms. Day peppers some midwestern colloquialisms and speech patterns into the dialogue giving the stories an overall genuine feel. It’s the start of the Christmas holiday season in South Lick when the discovery of a body in a cold case leads to a current day murder. This story has some nice surprises for various characters that will add to the overall festive feel of the book. The murder mysteries are well-plotted and the author provides plenty of suspects for her readers to mull over. Robbie once again finds herself trying to puzzle out the identity of the killer, only to find herself in the killer’s crosshairs.
Fans of this series will not want to miss this latest installment. You won’t be disappointed.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy which was provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.
It’s Christmas time in South Lick, Indiana, and Robbie is looking forward to spending it with her boyfriend Abe and her aunt. But when there’s a home fire, and a skeleton is discovered in the attic of a well-known anesthesiologist, it’s soon discovered who the remains belong to, and it opens up an entire new line of what happened to this person — long believed gone from the community on their own.
Then a man appears at Robbie’s restaurant, Pans ‘N Pancakes, claiming he’s the long-lost brother of Robbie’s assistant, and no one knows what to think. With guests at the hotel, and ugliness rearing its head over the holidays, Robbie wants to find out what happened to the person to whom the skeleton belonged, and hopes that her assistant isn’t being taken in by a con man…
I have read every single book in this series and loved them. Unfortunately, this one really sank the bar when the author decided to turn the book into a political one. I read books to escape from the realities of life, to relax in my home and just enjoy the moment. If I want to read about politics, then I will pick up a book on political science or a non-fiction book. Also, there was a scene between Robbie and her guests that absolutely did not make sense, keeping in line with the book’s tone. None of this had anything to do with the book, so why was the question thrown in there in the first place?
This wasn’t a mystery. It was a political rant with some mystery thrown in to keep people reading. Sorry, but I lost interest in the book and by the end of it I didn’t really care anymore. Hopefully the next one will go back to the way the rest are written.
Oh boy, oh boy! Big changes are coming and this book is the exciting precipice that is about to launch us into those changes that is if Robbie lives through the latest investigation that makes her the target of a devious killer! Excellent plotting wrapped around wonderful characters and relationships to make for an entertaining read or in my case, listen. The audio is very well narrated and really helps to bring the characters to life!
Welcome to South Link, Indiana. We will go to
Pans ’N Pancakes cafe for a bite to eat.
Robbie Jordan owns and runs the cafe, store
and B & B.
A house fire in town reveals a human skeleton
in the attic. The body was of a woman who had
gone missing years ago. Then a murder occurs.
Mix in an adopted man looking to met his mother,
sister and grandmother plus social issues of the
day for truly enjoyable read which includes antics,
interesting characters and lots of mouthwatering
foods.
This is book # 8 in the Country Store Mystery series.
It can be read as a stand alone effortlessly.
I volunteered to read Candy Slain Murder. Thanks to
Kensington Publisher via NetGallery for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
Recipes included at the end for:
Gingerbread People, Holly Cookies, Teriyaki Chicken
Wings, Corrine’s Beef Stew, Spinach-Red Pepper
Egg Bake and Peppermint Mocha Muffins.
Book 8 of the series and this author isn’t slowing down. She continues to write interesting plots, introduce new characters, and develop the main ones. Reading this series takes me back to the small town where I grew up. This author has realistically captured the personalities, behaviors, and aura of small town life. Love this series.
A fun and intriguing holiday mystery! Robbie’s assistant, Danna, has a visit from a half-brother she never knew she had. Also, a prominent doctor’s house burns down and a skeleton is found in his attic. Rumor has it that the skeleton is that of his wife, who supposedly went missing many years ago. Another murder occurs and now Robbie is on the case trying to find the killer or killers. I found this story to be intriguing as the reader felt that the killer was obvious, though many others were also suspects. I enjoy the coziness and charm of the residents and town of South Lick and how the staff of Robbie’s Pans and Pancakes is all one big family. I look forward to reading more of this wonderful series and seeing what’s next for Robbie and Abe!
Although Candy Slain Murder was my first time in the Country Story Mystery series, I will most definitely be going back for the earlier stories for this is a charming, engaging story with a down-home appeal… and some intriguing mysteries to try to solve. Since I’m beginning the series here there were, of course, nuances and relationships that I had to figure out along the way. What was absolutely necessary for me to understand in this story was described in dialogue or the narrative. But that did not take away from a really good mystery and the engaging characters I met here.
One skeleton discovered within a burned-out home brings suspicions upon a local anesthesiologist who already had people talking about him will provide lots of digging to get to the bottom of who really is the murderer. And a long-lost (so-called) relative will spin a few yarns, upset a few people, and add a second mystery to challenge Robbie. Since I do not read Cozy Mysteries to sharpen my detective skills but for the story of why and how the crime happened – it was fascinating to watch Robbie sort through the clues and come up with answers. I had my suspect for one, and my suspicions about the second – but you’ll enjoy it all so much more if I don’t give away spoilers.
In all, I had fun with Candy Slain Murder. It’s an engaging story that kept me turning pages, puzzling out clues, and enjoying getting to know the main (and secondary characters) that make up this world. If you love a good puzzle, and Cozy Mysteries are your delight any time of the year, then you’d enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Although this was not my favorite in the series I still found it a good read which is why I gave it 4 instead of 3 stars. I read cozy mysteries to escape the real world and this one did not let me do that this time around. There was a lot of political views expressed throughout the entire book.
I am excited for the next book as I cannot wait to see how Robbie adapts to her new role with her love.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
They were too many issues that were added into the story. It almost became like a platform for the opinions on social issues. There was racism, knocking Christianity, KKK, terrorist accusations and discussions on Islam, not liking prayer, making the bible study a beer festival, not liking CHRISTmas being a CHRISTian holiday (it celebrates the birth of Christ) and that other religions are offended by it when they have their own holidays to celebrate. It kept going sideways unnecessarily The murders that the book was supposed to be about were on the back burner and didn’t seem significant to the story It got wrapped up too abruptly to end the story.
Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day is the 8th A Country Store Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those who are new to the series. I thought Candy Slain Murder was easy to read thanks to the author’s conversational writing style and steady pacing. The story has developed characters and a charming small-town setting. There is a cast of quirky characters that add humor to the story. It is time for the holidays in South Lick, Indiana. The shops are decked with lights, snow is falling, and it is almost time for the town’s tree lighting ceremony. Robbie Jordan has been run off her feet at the restaurant which is good for her bottom line. We get to see what it takes to run her small restaurant. Her interactions with customers and her employees as well as coming up with the daily specials. Robbie decorates her Christmas tree with help from Abe and Sean. I enjoyed this sweet scene. The romance between Robbie and Abe is progressing nicely. Robbie can imagine spending the rest of her life with Abe and his son, Sean. Danna Beedle is stunned when a man comes into the restaurant and introduces himself as her half-brother. She is looking forward to getting to know him, but Robbie wonders if the man is on the up and up. There are two mysteries to solve this time around. A current one and one from a decade ago. Robbie questions multiple suspects gathering information that she passes along to Lt. Buck Bird and Detective Octavia Slade. I would have preferred a more unique solution. The case wraps up nicely with some suspenseful drama. The book has a very special ending that fans of the series will love. There are recipes at the end for those items that had our mouthwatering while reading this heartwarming tale. Candy Slain Murder is a sweet story with buttery biscuits, a skeletal sibling, handmade hats, a toxic twin, a chilly climate, plus festive fun with family and friends.
“Candy Slain Murder” the 8th book in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day. I just love this series,
This is the fourth book I have read in the series and I was able to follow along easily so it can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed it and practically read in one sitting.
I love the setting of South Lick, Indiana and I love Robbie and her staff at Pans N Pancakes they are like a big family. There were some nasty characters this time with touches on racism, and just plain old meanness. But through it all you still felt the good in most of South Lick. We learned more about Corrine and Danna this go around too which was nice.
There were enough twists to keep me intrigued and wanting to know how it ends. The plot and story were good and seemed to flow at a good pace. I did suspect the killer but I liked the surprise ending.
I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a cozy filled with down home characters and a small town atmosphere.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
Whenever I see a book with Maddie Day as the author I know I am in for a treat. This one did not disappoint. There was some… emotions (, , ,,) with this one But my favorite part was at the end. Who in their right mind would ask for a coffee refill after seeing THAT!?
Robbie is a fun, lovable character who makes readers want to visit her wonderful pancake cafe and spend the Christmas season with her friends, family, and customers. In the newest addition to the “A Country Store Mystery” series, Candy Slain Murder, Maddie Day has made this series even more thrilling.
It’s almost Christmas in South Lick, and Robbie and crew are working on their newest creations at Pans ‘N pancakes. Everything seems to be going great until an unexpected murder, a long lost brother, and a handful of strange events leave Robbie stuck in the middle of another murder investigation. This time the murder I sold long before her time, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Several mysteries need to be solved, but time is not a friend, and before you know it, there is another victim. Add in the unexpected introduction of Danna’s brother, one she never knew she had, and you have the makings of a holiday story that will lift your spirits and keep you happy.
Characters in this series have held the reader’s fascination since the beginning. They keep the action moving, add flavor to the town, and keep readers happy. Suspects are found around every corner, and motives abound. Even with Christmas and the holiday season on the horizon, everyone knows Robbie will be knee-deep in whatever horrendous murder occurs. Readers know that Robbie will place herself in danger, solve the murder, and catch the bad guy.
The killer isn’t a surprise, but this book’s ending will have fans smiling with holiday cheer. Candy Slain Murder is a quick, easy read that gives readers a chance to spend some quality time with the characters they have come to love. This latest addition to the series is the book everyone wants to read and savor this merry Christmas season.
Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day is book 8 in the A Country Store Mystery series. I have been a fan of this series since the first book.
Christmas will soon be upon South Lick and business is booming for Robbie and her store/cafe/B&B. When a stranger shows up claiming to be one of her employee’s brother, Robbie is skeptical of him and wants to dig into his claims,. Then a house burns and a skeleton is found in the attic and it’s obvious it has been there for decades. Is it the missing wife of the home owner who disappeared.
Robbie is running around asking questions, running her business. and enjoying the holiday festivities, Will she get all the answers she needs to have a relaxing Christmas.
This book has it all, plenty of suspects and twists and turns. She has wonderful characters, I especially like police officer Buck,. There is always family, friendship, humor, romance, and recipes in this series.
I was given an ARC by Kensington and NetGalley for an honest review.
This Christmas is bringing plenty of surprises to Robbie Jordan’s life. The first is the young man who walks into Pans N’ Pancakes, Robbie’s country store and restaurant, and claims to be Robbie’s assistant’s half brother. Danna never knew she had any siblings. The bigger surprise is the skeleton discovered when a house catches fire. As gossip about who the remains belong to heats up, a fresh murder takes place, and Robbie is once again drawn into the case. Can she figure out what happened?
Since the last book took place outside of South Lick, it was fabulous to be back and see all the regulars again. Everyone gets a scene or two to shine and give us updates on their lives. Unfortunately, the plot could be stronger. While there are plenty of suspects and red herrings, the suspects are weaker than they need to be. The climax is suspenseful and does answer all our questions, however. I’m a sucker for Christmas set cozies, and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. The scenes in the restaurant will make you hungry for the six recipes at the end. Fans of the series will certainly welcome this Christmas entry.
This was my first book by Maddie Day but I will certainly be reading more of her books. There are 2 twins, both murdered. One who was murdered 10 years ago and just now found in the attic of her home after a fire there. The other one murdered now. Robbie and her boyfriend Abe along with Buck and Octavia who are law officers all seek to get to the bottom of the truth about what happened. There are times in the book that Maddie throws in some humor which makes it a delightful read and I had some ” laugh out loud” moments with it. But the humor does not detract at all from the main story. A joy to read and I would highly recommend it. I received an e-book copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review
It has been a year since the last murder in South Lick, Indiana, and Robbie, owner of Pans ‘N Pancakes is relieved. She has helped the police solve past murders since she moved here from California and prefers to focus on her restaurant/country store, her family, and friends. Christmas is only weeks away, and Robbie and the town are decorating in style.
Her relief ends when the skeletal remains of someone is found in the attic of a home that caught fire. Dr. William Geller’s wife Tina had disappeared ten years earlier, but he had told everyone he thought she left him. Now the townspeople wonders…and he is a topic of conversation over breakfast the next day. Only a couple days later, her twin sister Toni is found murdered in her home before the remains in Geller’s attic are definitely determined to be Tina.
Robbie doesn’t want to get involved this time, especially since one death is from years before she moved here, and nobody she knows is being accused of either murder. When Toni’s renter, who had seen someone leaving Toni’s side of the duplex on the night of her murder, disappears, Robbie is more than curious.
Danna is one of Robbie’s assistants and the daughter of South Lick’s mayor. On the morning of the fire in Geller’s home, someone came in to meet her. Marcus, five years older than Danna, is her half-brother who had been adopted when only a couple days old. He loves his family yet wants to meet his birth mother and her family. Robbie wonders why Marcus is coming forward now to meet Danna and her family, and hopes he is who he says he is.
I enjoyed visiting South Lick again! Each of the mysteries can be read as standalones or as part of the series. The plot is executed well, with enough suspects to keep the story moving and interesting. Characters are well-defined through their conversations and behaviors as well as information gleaned from long-term residents of the area. When things are learned about Marcus’s past and Dr. Geller’s affiliations, it gets mighty hot in December in the Midwest! I was surprised at who the bad guy really was as my attention had been diverted on several other people with motives. The end includes other surprises, some quite delightful, and I am looking forward to the next novel in the series. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries, small Midwest towns and home cooking, and great recipes.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a review was not required.
Candy Slain Murder
Country Store Mysteries, Book #8
Maddie Day
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Christmas cheer has sent the griddle into overdrive at Robbie Jordan’s popular country store and café. And this year, there’s a new seasonal special to feast on: murder!
As December sweeps through South Lick, Indiana, Robbie’s life seems merry and bright like the string lights glistening around town. But strange happenings signal a bumpy ride into the holidays. First a man raises eyebrows at Pans ‘N Pancakes when he claiming to be the long-lost half-brother of Robbie’s assistant. Then a fire destroys the home of a controversial anesthesiologist, exposing skeletal remains in his attic. Helplessly intrigued, all Robbie wants for Christmas is to stop her winter wonderland from becoming a real nightmare. With a decades-old mystery taking shape, can she run as fast as she can in pursuit of a killer who’s harder to crack than a stale gingerbread man?
Includes Recipes for You to Try! (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Robbie cares about all of her employees, they are like family to her. So when someone claims to be a long-lost half brother of one of employees, Robbie is not going to take him at his word, she’s going to check him out. She has a lot going on, besides getting ready for Christmas, but she is up to the challenge. Throw in a murder mystery and Robbie might need a Christmas miracle.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The mystery was well plotted and had me second guessing my choice of the killer. Which is not really a surprise!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This book has a lot to offer a reader, which is great.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.